The Elm

Twelve faculty members from five University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) schools have successfully completed the second EDGE Fellowship, offered by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning and sponsored by Leaders in Education: Academy of Presidential Scholars (LEAPS). 

EDGE, which stands for “Educator Development for Growth and Effectiveness,” is a 10-month professional development experience for early career faculty members that bolsters knowledge and confidence in teaching and learning. Clinical and classroom faculty explore key pedagogical concepts that will help them as they continue to teach, serve on curriculum committees, and participate in accreditation activities.

Fellows also create a portfolio of materials to submit for promotion and tenure processes within their schools and design an educational project that will benefit their department or program.

Here are a few examples of the projects envisioned by members of this year’s cohort:

• Dr. Kamila Kantovitz (School of Dentistry) crafted a trauma-informed orientation and evaluation approach for an immersive global learning experience, in which School of Dentistry students travel to the Amazon rainforest to provide dental care.

• Dr. Sunyoung Park (School of Nursing) developed an alternative practicum experience for community public health nursing students designed to improve public health competencies and reduce clinical scheduling challenges.

We congratulate and celebrate this cohort and are excited to see the continued impact of their learning on their students and programs going forward. Learn more about the EDGE 2026 Fellows.

This EDGE Fellowship will run again in the 2026-27 academic year (all slots have been filled). Applications for the 2027-28 academic year will open in March 2027. Learn more and apply to the EDGE Fellowship.

2025-2026 EDGE Fellows: 

Adrienne Chase, School of Medicine

Nileshkumar Dubey, School of Dentistry

Allison Dunn, School of Pharmacy

Kamila Kantovitz, School of Dentistry

Berhanu Kibret, School of Pharmacy

Martine Kirwin, School of Nursing

Hayelom Mekonen, School of Dentistry

Taylor Melton-Farley, School of Nursing

Sun Young Park, School of Nursing

Isabella Tondi Resta, School of Medicine